From Cuban Cigars to American Cars Summer 2018

Venture down the colourful, cobblestone streets and past grandiose colonial facades, tracing the history and traditions of a cosmopolitan island nation from the comfort of a 1950's Oldtimer. Discover a time when pillaging pirates roamed these waters and a revolution stopped the clocks, retaining Cuba's intoxicating vintage charm.

Sightseeing Highlights

City tour in Camaguey, Havana

Scenic drive to Cayo Santa Maria

View Camaguey Cathedral, Plaza de los Trabajadores

Visit the site of the most decisive battle of the Cuban Revolution, Remedios, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Bay of Pigs Museum, Casa de Enrique

Dining Highlights

8 full breakfasts

7 lunches (including Be My Guest)

5 dinners

First class travel Highlights

Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing

Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals

Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted

Hand-picked Insider Experiences

Optional Experiences and free time

All porterage and local charges included

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

An expert Travel Director and separate Driver

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday

VIP entry to many sights

Call 1 (888) 484-4033 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13495585

Tour Operator

Trafalgar Tours

Offer

Offer valid through 9/30/2017

Duration

9 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Day

Destination

Description

Day 1

Camaguey

Arrive Camaguey (2 Nights): Welcome to Cuba. Upon arrival at Camaguey International Airport, you will be met by your Travel Director and your bilingual local guide and taken to your hotel in the heart of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 6 p.m. gather with your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception served at a local restaurant where you will have your first taste of Cuban cuisine.Welcome ReceptionEncanto El Marques and Hotel Encato La Sevillana

Day 2

Camaguey

Camaguey Sightseeing: Start the day with a city exploration by bicitaxi. Stop by the main Cathedral and pass the Plaza de los Trabajadores. Later, your local guide will introduce you to the Casanova family. Explore their studio and pottery workshop and watch them make small versions of tinajones (earthen clay pots), a Cultural Insight. After lunch, visit the stars of the Camagua dance company. They will play Afro-Cuban beats and demonstrate moves that have been handed down for generations, a Cultural Insight. Stop at the Carsuenos community project, a Cultural Insight, where you will interact with a local woman whose sewing skills produce charming woven dolls reflecting different Cuban customs and are given to children in local hospitals. Meet leather sculptor Pepe Gutierrez who creates some of the most impressive leather art pieces by using a unique technique that few others use, a Cultural Insight. Stop at the workshop and gallery of Lorenzo Linares whose landscape paintings capture the majesty of Cuba's classic scenes are a Cultural Insight. The rest of your day is free.Full Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Cayo Santa Maria

Camaguey - Santa Clara - Cayo Santa Maria (2 Nights): Today's scenic drive to Cayo Santa Mario takes you across the plains of this Caribbean island. Arrive in the town of Sancti Spiritus for an included lunch. Depart for Santa Clara, famous for being the site of Che Guevarra's most decisive battle against the Fulgencio Batista government during the Cuban Revolution. Che's remains were brought from Bolivia to Santa Clara, and you'll have the chance to visit his mausoleum and learn about his life and death. Cross a scenic causeway over azure blue waters before arriving at your beachside resort.Full Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerIberostar Ensenachos

Day 4

Cayo Santa Maria

Remedios and Caibarien Excursion: Head for the peaceful, colonial-style town of Remedios. Visit the community project of Todo Sobre Remedios and artist Roaidi Cartaya, whose efforts aim to preserve this small settlement's history and soul, including the annual parrandas floats and parade, a Cultural Insight you will learn about. Lunch will be served in Caibarien. Return to your hotel where the afternoon is free. Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cayo Santa Maria - Trinidad: Today's journey takes you to Trinidad, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most picturesque stops yet. Here your local guide will take you through the old cobblestone alleyways and streets lined with musicians, boutiques, family-owned shops and art galleries. Visit the gallery of artist Lazaro Nieblas who creates realistic portraits using reclaimed wood panels from Trinidad's classic shutters and doors, a Cultural Insight. Have a fusion-style lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Yemaya Temple which is used for the practice of the Santeria religion. A Santeria priest will explain the core components of this unique religion, a Cultural Insight.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore before dinner is served at a local restaurant.Full Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerIberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad

Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Havana (3 Nights): Begin your day with a stroll through the historic town of Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter the Thomas Terry Theater which recounts a marvelous era of stage production, and wander along the pedestrian Bulevar leading toward the Bay of Cienfuegos. Travel to the Bay of Pigs, the site of the USA-Cuban conflict in 1961. Visit the Bay of Pigs Museum to learn about how the ramifications of this historical event continue to influence the state of Cuba today. Lunch will be served at Casa de Enrique where you'll get to know the family who owns it. Tonight, dinner is served in a restored mansion. Full Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerIberostar Parque Central

Havana Sightseeing: Enjoy a panoramic tour of Havana today. Start with a visit to a local tobacco factory to learn how the famous Cuban cigars are made, a Cultural Insight. Explore Old Havana, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Enjoy a walking tour with a local architect, a Local Specialist. Pass by some of the iconic plazas and architectural facades. This afternoon, you will be greeted by Miguel Rojas and his wife Yamila Lopez for a Be My Guest lunch in their beautiful home with a roof top garden where they grow their own vegetables. Visit the San Jose craft market where you can browse hundreds of stalls. Back at the hotel, enjoy the rest of the evening on your own.Full Breakfast, Be My Guest Dining

Havana Sightseeing: In the morning, visit Miramar 601 gallery and meet with talents Alejandro Guanche and Aramis Santos who will showcase their contemporary works, a Cultural Insight, and tell you what life is like as an artist in modern Havana. Stop at La Lucecita, a Cultural Insight that inspires local children through music and dance. Enjoy an included lunch while a Cuban baseball player shares his stories and experiences from playing this popular sport at home and abroad a Cultural Insight. After, enjoy some free time at your hotel. Later, you're in for an exciting Cultural Insight as you take a spin in one of the ubiquitous vintage American cars you've been eyeing during your journey across Cuba. You'll be dropped off for your Farewell Dinner where you can toast to a wonderful Cuban experience. Full Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

Day 9

Depart Havana

Depart Havana: It's time to bid farewell to Cuba and your newfound friends as you are taken to Havana International Airport.Full Breakfast

Dates/Pricing

Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

For your convenience, we have included a non-discountable and non-commissionable amount of USD $128 which covers all donations and tips to your local Cuba guide, Local Specialists, Cultural Insights, hotel and restaurant staff, with the exception of your Trafalgar Travel Director and Driver.

- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class

Tours

Tour Type: Hidden JourneyBrochure Type: Hidden Journey USA and Canada 2018Venture down the colourful, cobblestone streets and past grandiose colonial facades, tracing the history and traditions of a cosmopolitan island nation from the comfort of a 19...